BASS STRAIT CENTRAL ZONE
SCALLOP FISHERY
BYCATCH AND DISCARDING
WORKPLAN
1 MAY 2012 TO 31 APRIL 2014
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BASS STRAIT CENTRAL ZONE SCALLOP FISHERY
BYCATCH AND DISCARDING WORKPLAN
1 May 2012 to 31 April 2014
Introduction
In carrying out its functions, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) must
pursue objectives in the Fisheries Management Act 1991 including to ensure ‘that the
exploitation of fisheries resources and the carrying on of any related activities are conducted in a
manner consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development (which include the
exercise of the precautionary principle), in particular the need to have regard to the impact of
fishing activities on non-target species and the long term sustainability of the marine
environment’.
To help achieve this objective, in September 2009 AFMA released the Bass Strait Central Zone
Scallop Fishery (BSCZSF) Bycatch and Discarding Workplan (2009 Workplan) which provided
fishery specific implementation of the framework established under the Commonwealth Policy on
Fisheries Bycatch (2000) (Commonwealth Bycatch Policy). The 2009 Workplan applied for two
years.
No interactions with threatened, endangered and protected species1 (TEP species) or high risk
species have been reported in the BSCZSF since the 2009 Workplan commenced, which
continues the historically low levels of reported interactions described in the 2009 Workplan.
This BSCZSF Bycatch and Discarding Workplan replaces the 2009 Workplan. It aims to:
 respond to high ecological risks assessed through AFMA’s Ecological Risk Assessment
process and management response completed in 2010 and other assessment processes
 avoid interactions with species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
 minimise overall bycatch in the fishery over the long-term.
This workplan incorporates changes from the formal review of the 2009 Workplan and the results
of the Ecological Risk Assessment process completed in 2010.
This workplan will be reviewed by AFMA annually and formally reviewed, in consultation with
the BSCZSF Research Assessment Group (ScallopRAG), after two years. This workplan should
be read in conjunction with the Commonwealth Bycatch Policy and AFMA’s program for
addressing bycatch and discarding in Commonwealth fisheries: an implementation strategy
(2008).
1
See Principle 2 in Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Guidelines for
the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries – 2nd Edition (2007).
2
Fishery snapshot
Commercial scallop fishing in the Bass Strait commenced in the early 1970s and is managed
under three jurisdictions. AFMA manages the BSCZSF, and Victoria and Tasmania manage
zones generally out to 20 nm off their respective coastlines under Offshore Constitutional
Settlement agreements (Figure 1). Concession holders in the BSCZSF are able to target
Commercial Scallop (Pecten fumatus) and Doughboy Scallop (Chlamys (Mimachlamys)
asperrimus).
Figure 1 Area of the Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery (from Geoscience Australia, 2005)
Characterisation of bycatch and discarding
Bycatch and discarding in the BSCSZF
The Commonwealth Bycatch Policy defines bycatch as all material, living or non-living, which is
caught while fishing except for the target species. The focus of the Commonwealth Bycatch
Policy is that part of bycatch that:

is discarded because it has no commercial value or because regulations prevent it from
being retained

does not reach the deck of the fishing vessel but is affected by interaction with fishing
gear.
Accordingly, this workplan focuses on discards of, or damaging interactions with fishing gear of:

juvenile or damaged Commercial Scallops, a quota species

Doughboy Scallops, a quota species

TEP species

other non-quota species assessed as high risk species for the BSCZSF (see below).
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Low risk of bycatch
Bycatch in the BSCZSF has been low primarily because of the targeted nature of fishing. All
areas of the BSCZSF remain closed to fishing unless opened under the rules of the Harvest
Strategy. In practice, this means that only discrete areas are opened for fishing each season.
These areas make up only a small proportion of the total fishery area and generally exhibit low
species diversity (almost exclusively Commercial Scallops) and low bycatch abundance (Haddon
et al, 2006).
Catches of juveniles are low because:

smaller scallops can pass through the teeth of scallop dredges

the Harvest Strategy works to prevent fishing in areas where there are high concentrations
of juveniles. To open an area of the BSCZSF, at least 80% of Commercial Scallops must
be greater than 90mm in shell length or be at least three years of age and have completed
two major spawning events.
Ecological Risk Management and TEP species
In November 2009, AFMA released the Ecological Risk Management: Report for the Bass Strait
Central Zone Scallop Fishery (ERM). The ERM describes the Ecological Risk Assessment
process for the BSCZSF (see AFMAb, 2009) and provides a priority list for the BSCZSF
comprised of four species which were scored at high risk (Table 1). However, the next level of
environmental assessment process, a rapid quantitative risk assessment which may result in a
lower risk classification for these four species, has not been conducted. There have been no
reported interactions with the four species in Table 1 since the commencement of the 2009
Workplan. Accordingly, this workplan does not propose further assessment of these species but
focuses on improved monitoring and reporting.
No TEP species were identified by the ERM as high risk in the BSCZSF. The ERM did identify
132 TEP species that were thought to occur within the waters of the fishery however none of
these 132 TEP species were assessed as being at high ecological risk and none have ever been
recorded as having been interacted with during actual fishing operations. The only recorded
interactions with TEP species in the BSCZSF have been with two species during fishery surveys,
the common weedfish (Heteroclinus perspicillatus) and the southern potbellied seahorse
(Hippocampus abdominalis).
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Table 1. Priority list of species to be addressed in the BSCZSF.
Taxonomic
Group
Scientific Name
Common Name
Role in
Fishery
Highest Level of
Assessment
Risk
Score
Invertebrate
Eucrassatella
kingicola
Crassatella
Discard
Level 2 PSA
Residual Risk
Assessment
High
Invertebrate
Hapalochlaena
maculosa
Southern blue
ringed octopus
Discard
Level 2 PSA
Residual Risk
Assessment
High
Invertebrate
Bellidilia
undecimspinosa
Pebble crab
Discard
Level 2 PSA
Residual Risk
Assessment
High
Invertebrate
Luidia australiae
Black and white
seastar
Discard
Level 2 PSA
Residual Risk
Assessment
High
Monitoring program
The monitoring program for the BSCZSF includes information collected through logbooks and
catch disposal records, scientific surveys, observer coverage and independent research. An
overview of the monitoring program is provided below.
Logbooks
All concession holders in the BSCZSF are required to complete the SCA01A logbook. This
logbook provides for the recording of information on the vessel, operator, gear, location, time and
catch for each fishing operation. Information on bycatch species, interactions with TEP species
and other trip observations including bottom type, scallop size and discard rates are also
collected. Accurate data from logbooks will allow continued monitoring of bycatch and discards
in the fishery and assist in identifying any emerging issues.
Observer Program
Concession holders are required to carry an observer if requested by AFMA. In 2009 there were
three observed trips of normal fishing operations and two survey trips. In both 2010 and 2011
observers were placed on three separate survey trips.
Fishery Surveys
Since 2000, AFMA, in conjunction with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS)
previously the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI), has undertaken industry
based surveys of the BSCZSF. Fishery surveys from 2001 to 2004 indicate that the dominant
bycatch species are molluscs, crustaceans, sponges and ascidians. Recent surveys are designed to
monitor the condition of known beds by assessing the size structures, density, condition and
distribution of the commercial scallop stock. A three year survey and stock assessment project
titled Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery commenced during 2011. This project has 15 sea
days budgeted for each of the three years of the project. A review of the fishery data needs as well
as the onboard data collection protocols (for both survey and non-survey trips) will help
determine ongoing observer coverage requirements and costs.
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2012-2014 Bycatch and Discarding Workplan
Actions
Undertake a process to
review the ERA
methodology in relation to
the high risk species
Risk / Issue to be
addressed
Appropriateness of the
high risk species as
determine from the
ERA
Conduct an analysis of
observer records against
logbook records to identify
any trends or gaps in
reporting
Timeframe
Costs $
Performance
Indicators
Milestones
Review completed
February 2013
Staff time
includes AFMA
and research
members on the
RAG
Review completed
ScallopRAG and ScallopMAC
consider the results of the
review and recommend
management responses
Review completed
February 2013
AFMA staff time
Review completed
ScallopRAG and ScallopMAC
consider the results of the
review and recommend
management responses
Monitor interactions with
protected (TEP) and high
risk species
Understanding the level
of interaction and
impact on TEP species
and high risk species
identified in the ERA
process
February each year
for the preceding
year
AFMA staff time
Logbooks and observer
reports reviewed by AFMA
and reported to ScallopRAG
ScallopRAG to annually
consider interactions with high
risk and TEP species
Review the BSCZSF
observer program
Determining fishery
data needs and ensure
cost effective collection
of data
February each year
for the preceding
year
AFMA staff time
ScallopRAG and
ScallopMAC to consider
appropriate observer coverage
before each season
ScallopRAG and ScallopMAC
to recommend observer
coverage for following season
Encourage improved
logbook reporting
Ensuring bycatch and
discarding information
is accurately reported in
logbooks
February each year
for the preceding
year
AFMA staff time
Consultation with operators
regarding accurate recording
in logbooks
Quality of reporting assessed
AFMA to annually review
logbook reporting (i.e.
compare level of reporting
from one season to the next)
Analysis of survey data
Collecting and analysis
of catch information
during surveys
February each year
for the preceding
year
BSCZSF stock
assessment
project and
AFMA staff time
Review survey data to
determine interaction rates
with TEP and high risk
species
Analyse survey data to
determine interactions with
TEP and high risk species in
reports
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References
AFMAa, 2009. Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery Bycatch and Discarding Work Plan, 1 st June,
2009 to 31st May, 2011. 22p.
AFMAb, 2009. Ecological Risk Management, Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery. 18p.
AFMAa, 2012. Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery,Review of the Bycatch and Discarding Work
Plan, 1st June, 2009 to 31st May, 2011. 8p.
Haddon, M., Harrington, J.J. and Semmens, J.M., 2006. Juvenile Scallop Discard Rates and Bed
Dynamics: Testing the Management Rules for Scallops in Bass Strait. Tasmanian Aquaculture and
Fisheries Institute, Taroona, Tasmania.
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